Name: Father Stu
Genre: Drama
Released: 2022-04-13T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, Jacki Weaver, Teresa Ruiz, Malcolm McDowell

The opening scene of Father Stu finds Mark Wahlberg‘s Stuart Long taking a brutal beating in the boxing ring, his face contorted with pain and defiance. It’s an apt introduction to a man who will spend his life swinging for the fences, both literally and spiritually. Rosalind Ross’ directorial debut is a biographical drama that tracks Stu’s journey from agnostic boxer to Catholic priest, but its real fight is between faith and doubt, redemption and self-destruction.

Ross grounds the film in gritty realism, particularly in the early scenes set in Los Angeles. The contrast between the sun-baked streets of L.A. and the snow-covered landscapes of Montana is striking, visually emphasizing Stu’s internal conflict. Wahlberg delivers a committed performance, channeling the same raw energy he brought to The Fighter, though his portrayal occasionally veers into broad strokes, especially in the film’s more sentimental moments.

One of the film’s strongest assets is its supporting cast. Mel Gibson as Stu’s estranged father, Bill, is a standout, bringing a quiet intensity that grounds the emotional core of the story. Gibson’s performance is reminiscent of Nick Nolte in Warrior, another film about a broken and drunken father trying to reconnect with his son. Jacki Weaver as Stu’s mother, Kathleen, adds depth with her nuanced portrayal of a woman caught between love and frustration. The chemistry between Wahlberg and Weaver is palpable, making their strained relationship one of the film’s most compelling dynamics.

The film’s exploration of faith is both its strength and its weakness. Ross doesn’t shy away from showing the messy, imperfect nature of Stu’s journey, which makes his eventual commitment to the priesthood feel earned. However, some of the religious elements—like Stu’s vision of the Virgin Mary—border on melodrama. The film’s attempts to inspire can sometimes feel heavy-handed, particularly in its more sentimental moments.

The pacing is another issue. While the first half moves with a sense of urgency, the second half drags as it delves into Stu’s seminary training and eventual diagnosis with inclusion body myositis. The scenes depicting his physical decline are powerful but feel rushed, leaving little room for emotional resonance. The film’s structure also suffers from tonal shifts that can be jarring. The transition from Stu’s wild, rebellious phase to his spiritual awakening feels abrupt, and the film struggles to find a consistent tone.

Father Stu is at its best when it focuses on the complexities of faith and family. Ross doesn’t shy away from showing the messy, imperfect nature of Stu’s journey, which makes his eventual commitment to the priesthood feel earned. However, the film’s reliance on familiar tropes—such as the drunken prodigal son finding redemption—keeps it from fully transcending its genre.

The film’s themes of fatherhood and faith are explored with a certain earnestness that is both its greatest strength and its Achilles’ heel. The underlying theme of fatherhood gone wrong and right is compelling, and the film’s potential to inspire those ignorant of the faith is notable. However, the film’s attempts to inspire can sometimes feel heavy-handed, particularly in its more sentimental moments.

In terms of audience appeal, Father Stu is a film that will resonate most with those who appreciate inspirational stories of redemption. It’s a movie about manhood and faith, with a strong underlying theme of fatherhood gone wrong and right. Thankfully, there is hope, and the film’s potential to bring “good” Catholics back down to the gritty earth while also inspiring those ignorant of the faith is commendable.

The film’s re-release as Father Stu: Reborn suggests an attempt to reach a wider audience, but the changes made for this version are not readily apparent. The original cut already had a strong emotional core and a compelling story, making it accessible to both young children and adults. However, the film’s mixed reviews from critics indicate that it may not have fully resonated with everyone.

In conclusion, Father Stu is a mostly endearing, shaggy redemption story. It’s a film that wears its heart on its sleeve, but its sincerity is both its greatest strength and its Achilles’ heel.